Lamplight-deflector and mechanism for operating the same.



T. SHAFFER.

LAMPLIGHT DEFLECTOR AND MECHANISM FOR OPERATING THE SAME. APPLICATION.men MAR. 20. 1916- mm Dec. 19,1916.

FQTENT a, 1 4 s, at. no a l THOMAS SHAFFER, OF ST. JOSEPH, MISSOURI.

LAMPLIG-HT-DEFLEC'I'OR AND MECHANISM FOR OPERATING THE SAME.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 11%, il ilfl.

Application filed March 20, 1916. Serial No. 85,407.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THoMAs SHAFFER, a citizen of the United States,residing at St. Joseph, in the county of Buchanan and State of Missouri,have invented certain new and useful Improvements inLamplight-Deflectors and Mechanisms for Operating the Same, of which thefollowing is a specification, reference being had therein totheaccompanying drawing.

My invention relates to that class of vehicle lamp light deflectors andmechanisms for operating the same, which are particularly adapted foruse on automobiles, trucks, street cars, and the like, for downwardlydefleeting the upper portion of the light from a head-light or lamp,thereby avoiding accidents incident to the use of an undeflected orunshaded light, and the objects of my improvements'are, first; toprovide a simple, substantial and durable combination of this character,by the use of which, the upper portion of the light from a lamp caninstantly be deflected downward and forward, thereby shading the upperportion of said lamp and augmenting the lower portion of light projectedtherefrom, and whereby said light can as quickly be returned to normalcondition; second, to so construct said com bination that the same canbe operated at any desired point, distant therefrom, such as thedashboard of a vehicle and the like, be devoid of springs, be operatedwith the minimum amount of energy and require no attention or care;third; to so construct the operating mechanism, that it shall occupy theminimum amount of space, and shallbe housed from view in the body of thelamp, safe from action of the elements and from vandals, thus avoidingthe use of unsightly adjuncts or attachments on said lamp. I attainthese objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawing,in which v Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the mechanism, on theline X seen in Fig. 2, certain parts of the reflector being broken away.Fig. 2 is a horizontal section, on the line Y Y, seen in Fig. 1, lookingdownward. Fig. 3 is a vertical section, on the line Z Z, seen in Fig. 2,looking upward. Fig. 4 is an enlarged section in detail similar to Fig.2, of a portion of the deflector showing its shaft and the deflectorsecuring means.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, reflector 1. (of

parabolic form,) has outwardly projecting ange 1 formed on its frontedge, and the semispherical rear end portion l-, formed therewith. Saidrear end portion has inward projection 2, (of bead form,) formed aroundthe upper half of its inner surface adjacent to the rear of saiddeflector. Said rear portion 1 also has nipple 3 therein, which isprovided with set screw 4, by which the shank 5 of electric light 6 issecured in said nipple. Said electric light is provided with electricconductors 6', for conducting electric energy therethrough, from adistant source of electric supply, not shown. Said conductors areextended through insulation 7, laced through lamp body 8. Said lamp bo ymay be of the form shown, or be of any one of the other various forms,now generally inuse. Said body has inwardly projectlng flange 8", formedtherewith, around its front edge, ably secured by screws 9. Deflector 10is of such form, that it conforms with the shape of the upper part ofthe interior surface of rear portion 1 of reflector 1. Said deflectorhas the u wardly projecting flange 10 formed on 1ts front edge, saidflange being of such form, that it normally lies flat against the innersurface of reflector 1, which at this point, acts as an auxiliary stop,for limiting rearward movement of said deflector. Said deflector alsohas the rear flange 10", formed on its rear edge, which acts as anauxiliary stop for limiting forward movement of said deflector, whencarried thereby against projection 2, which also forms a hght tightjoint, when said deflector is in the position seen in Fig. 1. lit willbe understood that all of the inner sur faces of reflector 1, its rearportion 1", deflector 10, flanges 10 and 10", are so formed, ghat theyare highly efficient reflecting suraces.

Referring to Figs. 2 and a, one of the two corners of deflector 10 haspivot stud 11 se curely connected therewith, said stud beingoscillatably mounted in the adjacent side of rear portion 1", ofreflector 1, while the 0pposite corner of said deflector has theinternally threaded eyelet 13 passed through an aperture therein, and iscrimped thereon. Shaft 12 has the screw threaded portion 12 formedthereon, which is screwed into said eyelet, after which the inner end ofsaid on which flange 1 is detachwith said deflector.

' to allow said core to rotate,

shaft is headed against said eyelet, for rigidly securing the inner endof said shaft The outer end of said shaft is passed through an aperturein its adjacent side of rear portion 1 of reflector l and is secured inpinion segment 14, by set screw 15. Said pinion segment and set screwform parts of the following described electric mechanism: Solenoidbracket 16 is secured to portion 1", of reflector 1, by being solderedthereon, or by any other substantial securing means. Said bracket hasadjusting flanges 16' formed therewith, through which screws 18 arescrewed against the outer ends of solenoid spools 17, for longitudinallyadjusting said spools and for holding them against longitudinalmovement. Said spools are held in 1 lace on bracket 16, by yoke straps18. two elastic bearings 20, formed therewith, in which the hub portionsof pinion segment 14 are oscillatably mounted. Said core guide hasspools 17 passed onto the outer end portions thereof, said spools beingpressed against said bearings by said screws 16". Solenoid core 21 ismounted for longitudinally reciprocative movement in said core guide,and has its movements limited by adjusting screws 22,which are screwedthrough core guide caps 23, which latter are screwed onto the ends ofsaid core guide. Core 21 has rack teeth 24 formed therearound, which arein engagement with the teeth of pinion segment 14-. Said rack teeth arethus formed (if such should incidentally take place,) without in any wayinterfering with its operation as a gear rack.

Helices of insulated wire are wound on spools 17, as seen at 25 and 26in Fig. 1. The outer end portion of helix 25 is extended and connectedwith one of the terminals of push-button 27, while the similar portionof helix 26, is in like manner connected with push-button 28. Electricconductors 29 and 30 connect the opposite terminals of said push buttonsrespectively, with 'one pole of battery 31, while the opposite pole ofsaid battery is connected with the extended inner end portions ofhelices 25 and 26, by electric conductor 32.

t will be understood, that in actual practice, push buttons 27 and 28,may be secured on the dashboard of a vehicle, such as an automobile,truck, or the like, or be placed at any desired point, accessible to theoperator of the vehicle, and distant from the previously describeddeflector. It will also be understood, that the weight of deflector 10,when in the position seen in Fig. 1, is more than suflicient tocounterbalance the weight of solenoid core 21, to such extent that thegravity of said deflector holds the same in place.

In operation, with the parts in the position seen in Fig. 3, theoperator pushes push- Solenoid core guide 19 has the neonate button 27,thereby closing an electric circuit from battery 31, through conductor29, said push-button and helix 25, and thence through conductor 32, tosaid battery. Electric current through the thus closed circuit energizessaid helix, which lifts solenoid core 21, which latter by its previouslydescribed gear, oscillates shaft 12 and the therewith con-' necteddeflector 10, from the position seen in Fig. 3, to the position seen inFig. 1. While in this position, the upper portion of the light from lamp6, is projected from said lamp, against the inner surface of saiddeflector, is thereby reflected against the inner surfaces of the lowerportions of reflector 1 and its rear portion 1"; and since said electriclight is below the center of said rear portion of said reflector, itslight strikes said inner surfaces and is reflected therefrom at suchvarious angles thereto, that practically all of the light from electriclight 8, is ultimately reflected downward and forward, beneath the frontedge of deflector 10, thereby intensifying the thus reflected light.

It will be further understood that the electromagnetic force exerted aspreviously described, is suflicient for quickly moving the parts, thatthe same takes place, practically, in an instant of time and that a meretouch and instant removal of the operators thumb, from thumb-button 27,is suflicient; thereby opening the described circuit, deenergizing helix25 and thus consuming the minimum amount of electric energy.

For returning deflector 10 from the position seen in Fig. 1, to theposition seen in Fig. 3, the operator, in like manner, serves thumbbutton 28, thereby momentarily closing an electric circuit from battery31, through conductor 30, thumb button 28, helix 26 and thence throughconductor 32 to battery 31, thereby energizing said helix, which drawssolenoid core 21, downward, which, by the previously described parts,reversely oscillates deflector 10,to normal position, seen in Fig. 3.

Having fully described my invention,what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with an oscillatably mounted deflector shaft, adaptedto have a deflector secured on one end thereof; of a segment of gearpinion secured on the other end of said shaft; a slidably mountedsolenoid core; rack teeth formed on said core said teeth being inengagement with the teeth of said pinion; a pair of helices forreciprocatively moving said core; a source of electric energy; andelectric conducting means whereby an electric current is alternatelyconducted through said helices; and stopping means whereby said movementofsaid core is limited.

2. The combination with a reflector having an outwardly extending flangeformed I said ing a smaller on the front edge thereof; of a semisphericaif rear portion formed with said reflector, said rear portion having anInward pro ection of th bead form formed on the inner surface of theupper half thereof adjacent to said reflector; a light deflectoroscillatably mounted in rear portion; a front flange formed on the frontedge of said deflector said front flange being adapted to snugly fitagainst the upper, rear portion of said reflector; a rear flange formedon the rear edge of said deflector said rear flange being adapted to bemoved against and to be stopped by said bead flange for forming a lighttight joint; and oscillating means whereby said deflector is oscillated.

3. The combination with a pair of helices, of a solenoid core slidablymounted for re ciprocative movement therein; of rack teeth formed onsaid core entirely around the central portion thereof; a segment of gearpinion in engagement with saidrack teeth; and an oscillatably mountedshaft adapted to have a deflector secured on one end thereof while theother end of said shaft is secured in said pinion.

4- The combination with a reflector havrear end portion said reflectorbeing adapted to be lamp body leaving a end portion of said a solenoidbracket said space between said rear reflector and said body' rearportion; a solenoid core guide of tubular said guide detachably securedin a secured on one side'o 6 through one side of the central portionthere- 0 a pair of elastic bearings formed with e central portion ofsaid core guide at each slde of said opening, respectively; a seg mentof gear pinion oscillatably mounted in said bearings with its peripheryextended into said opening; a solenoid core having rack teeth formed onthe central portion thereof, said core being mounted for reciprocativemovement in said core guide with its rack teeth inengagement with saidpinion; a solenoid spool on each end portion of said core guide;asolenoid helix wound on each one of said spools; a pair of yoke strapswhereby said spools are secured on said bracket; a cap screwed on eachend of said core guide; a core adjusting screw screwed into each one ofsaid caps for adjusting the reciprocative movement of said core; spooladjusting means whereby said spools are adjusted and secured againstlongitudinal movement on said bracket; a deflector shaft having one ofits ends secured in said pinion the other endof said shaft being adaptedto be connected with a lamp light deflector; and electric energizingmeans whereby said helices are alternately energized.

In testimony whereof I afiix'my signature in the presence of twowitnesses.

THOMAS SHAFJFER. Witnesses: Y

Geo. Rises, din, i Jemrd

